Olis Posted January 1, 2013 Share Posted January 1, 2013 Ah, the power of Saint Edit in action. BURN TYPO! BEGONE! Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/214866-this-is-the-liber-astartes-part-ii/page/30/#findComment-3276381 Share on other sites More sharing options...
fivepointedstar Posted January 2, 2013 Share Posted January 2, 2013 Where did you even get a Caestus...? ;) Sorry, DK2K, but the Assault Ram won't exactly fit in the corridors, and the plan involves keeping the attack fairly low-key. So, you'll be hot-footing it with Ludo and Cambrius. What! No assault ram.. shucks, well I'll keep it parked next to the huge pile of empty ale boxes that I parked it next so the wolves would never expect it there. So this hot footing... Can I bring my jump pack with me at least? Well as a Blood Dragon as long as there's something on fire in the end I'm good. :D Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/214866-this-is-the-liber-astartes-part-ii/page/30/#findComment-3276452 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dark Apostle Thirst Posted January 2, 2013 Share Posted January 2, 2013 Fair point, I'm sure the Heresy Dept. can conjure up something diabolical to help the mission along. :devil: Maybe a certain Angelos Ferrum? ;) Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/214866-this-is-the-liber-astartes-part-ii/page/30/#findComment-3276528 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Demus Ragnok Posted January 2, 2013 Share Posted January 2, 2013 (edited) Disregard. Edited January 2, 2013 by Demus Ragnok Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/214866-this-is-the-liber-astartes-part-ii/page/30/#findComment-3276618 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Demus Ragnok Posted January 2, 2013 Share Posted January 2, 2013 If there are anymore killteam slots that need filling I'm off till the 7th. And I have a sword. A sickle sword, ya know like they used in Egypt. Oh and my sword is red, red iron. Red like the temper of every son of Manus. Iron, iron like an iron will that cannot yield. I'm fired up this moring for some reason. Strange. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/214866-this-is-the-liber-astartes-part-ii/page/30/#findComment-3276620 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dosjetka Posted January 2, 2013 Share Posted January 2, 2013 Right, if everyone is showing off their fancy wargear, then I'll be original and go with the basic Umbra Pattern boltgun and a combat blade :D Oh and a melta bomb or two ;) Ludovic Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/214866-this-is-the-liber-astartes-part-ii/page/30/#findComment-3276652 Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChaptermasterDemon7 Posted January 2, 2013 Share Posted January 2, 2013 Ill take a spot in one of the kill teams if their is still a opening. Been itching to get my new toy ready. -grins- Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/214866-this-is-the-liber-astartes-part-ii/page/30/#findComment-3276992 Share on other sites More sharing options...
fivepointedstar Posted January 2, 2013 Share Posted January 2, 2013 Ill take a spot in one of the kill teams if their is still a opening. Been itching to get my new toy ready. -grins- Any hints on what this new toy is? Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/214866-this-is-the-liber-astartes-part-ii/page/30/#findComment-3277122 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ace Debonair Posted January 2, 2013 Share Posted January 2, 2013 (edited) -=-= Part 3: Monsters =-=- "Alright, listen up!" Dark Apostle Thirst's shout cut through the babble of voices. "We've got our orders. We've got two explosives to deliver to either side of Hall Eight. The Space wolves are taking care of one underneath the Hall and Ferrata says he's got something special planned for delivering the final explosive; we'll wait and see just what he's got in mind." Thirst brandished a bolter high above his head, so the assembled Liberites could see it. "This mission is not about destroying as much of the Liber as you can, so I want to see bolters and spellcheck rounds on every Liberite, and keep the other fancy toys to a minimum. Yes?" This last remark was adressed at Deathknight 2000, who had raised a hand. "What do you mean by 'minimum', Moderati?" "I mean, DK2K, for every time I see part of the Liber damaged by Liberites in the upcoming mission, I'll melta someone." Thirst hefted his melta Hera menacingly. "Oh. Understood, Moderati." DK2K shrugged and muttered to Battle Brother Ludovic; "No Caestus-ing down the corridor then." "Told you he wouldn't go for it." Ludovic chuckled. "A marine can dream, can't he?" DK2K sighed. "Alright. Here's what's going to happen. Aquilanus, you'll be taking Erasmus, Ecritter and Demus to plant this explosive on the near side. You'll need to go outside, through Castigator Alley and up through the access tower. Once you're at the top, you want the room right in front of you at the far end of the corridor - it's adjacent to Hall Eight." "Yes, Moderati!" Aquilanus raised a fist in salute. "Good. Cambrius, you, DK2K, Ludo and CMD7 are with me. The route we want will take us the other way from Aquilanus' squad. We'll be heading through the Culinarium, so brace yourselves." There was the inevitable groan of rage and despair that occured whenever someone mentioned the Liber's kitchens, but DAT was fired up by the prospect of the coming battles, so he ignored it. "We've no choice, we can't risk taking the explosives past the main door to Hall Eight. Once we're past the Culinarium it's a straight run past the Fire Gate through the undercroft to Hall Nine." "What about me?" Reyner asked, perplexed. "Reyner, you grab everyone else you can and go wait by the wall you built." "It's a fort!" Reyner complained. "But you only finished one wall of it," Thirst replied, reasonably. "Everyone was arguing over what it should be like," Reyner shrugged. "It's not my fault nobody could decide on what we were building." "Didn't I draw up plans?" Asked Ludovic, puzzled. "Yeah, me too. But so did Silver Phoenix, Madwolf Shadowmane and CMID. In fact, I think even Ace sent out a scribbled blueprint from the Apothecarion." Reyner sighed. "CMID drew up some plans?" Aquilanus scratched his nose to conceal a grin. "I did wonder why there was a 'Purifiers' banner on the wall." "Anyway," Said Thirst, his voice indicating strongly the show was over, "Reyner, you grab everyone else and go bunker down behind your wall. The typos have been throwing themselves at it for days now, and we can't allow them to get past. You have your orders, Liberites, move out!" -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Aquilanus padded to the corner, leaning out carefully and scanning the junction. The corridor past Reyner's Wall had been free of enemies, so Aquilanus and his squad had used the opportunity to sneak out and away before the typos returned. For once, his many diverse personalities seemed to be mostly focused on the task at hand. This level of internal co-operation both amazed and unnerved Aquilanus - it had been years since he could think his way through a sentence without interrupting himself. "It's clear." He said, his eyes flicking quickly from side to side. Erasmus sneaked over to the other corner of the junction. Just here the corridor branched off in a T-shape. One path lead to the main door of Hall Eight, the other out towards Castigator Alley. Despite the Moderati's stern warnings, Erasmus was still carrying one of his modified plasma pistols, slung under his backpack. Long campaigns had taught him to be careful even when the coast seemed clear, and he waited patiently, watching the path to Hall Eight, as Aquilanus and the others moved down the other end of the corridor towards the next available cover. Demus Ragnok carried the crate containing the explosives, his bolter and sword mag-locked to his back. This close to the Typo Horde's lair, the tension was palpable. There was a great feeling of unease in the air, as though something was searching, but was as yet unaware of the threat. Distant skittering noises only served to keep the four marines very alert as they moved to the door to Castigator Alley, and opened it. The wind outside was sudden, strong and bitterly cold. Afternoon sunlight lit the wide, ornately decorated path that ran between two of the Liber's largest wings. It had been dubbed Castigator Alley after one of the Liber's most revered and in-depth records. Ornate statues of ancient Liberites and other honoured allies of the Legio littered the pathway, and innumerable campaign banners fluttered in the winds. The whole place served as a constant, imposing reminder of the Legio's time-honoured purpose and the Liber's place in it. Many a Liberite had spent a pleasant hour or two in contemplation there when dealing with particularly problematical research or other tasks. Now however, with the wind howling around the statues and the constant fluttering of the banners, it seemed desolate and stark. "Does anyone else think it's been too quiet?" Ecritter voxed, carefully. He still carried Kalas'nyhk the Gravemaker, Splitter of Skulls, Bane of the Corpse God's Servants and occasional doorstop during the quieter days in the Heresy Dept. The sword thrummed with a dark energy, eager to seek out new enemies to slay. "Well now you mention it," Demus Ragnok said, glancing around, "I'd expected more resistance. What could be keeping the typos away from us?" There was a sudden tremor, and a noise like a Thunderhawk crashing into a Cathedral. At the far end of Castigator Alley, one of the walls flew apart in ponderous chunks, and a grotesque, misshapen creature flew from the wreckage and scrambled upright. The creature was a huge, ten-legged and one-armed monstrosity. It was covered in a dozen wounds, but still turned to the approaching Liberites with a mad, unearthly fury in it's three eyes. "Typo!" Aquilanus yelled. The Astartes dived into cover, and immediately began firing their spellchecker rounds at the creature. Demus dropped the crate to one side and wrenched his bolter free as Erasmus provided covering fire. "Will you look at the size of the thing?" Demus voxed, as he fired a volley at the creature's legs. The shots struck true, but it carried on charging regardless. "Never seen one like that before," Erasmus admitted. "It's in a frenzy,too!" Aquilanus had spent so much time shuffling personalities in his head that he was never sure which of them first noticed the way the creature moved. One of the voices in his head talked quickly and at length about the stance and the way it's legs moved. A second questioned how it had taken so many spellcheck rounds to the leg and continued to run. Another talked about what it could smell - not anger on the wind, but fear. "It's not charging, it's running away!" Aquilanus yelled urgently. "Get to either side of it and stay low, we'll wait and see what it's running from - it could be something worse!" The marines split up quickly, Aquilanus and Ecritter ducking behind a statue of Telveryon, as Demus and Erasmus dived behind a low wall that supported a row of banners. The creature lumbered past them without even a second glance, turning only at the end of the Alley, to hold it's pursuer at bay. Demus risked a glance between the banners at the hole in the wall the creature had emerged from. "I don't see anything," he voxed quietly to the others. Aquilanus snuck a quick look at the hole. There seemed to be a figure standing amidst the rubble, advancing slowly. His footsteps were just about audible over the panicked cries of the Typo at the far end of the Alley. "Uh oh. This is bad news," Aquilanus breathed. He knew instinctively what he was looking at, even though to some newer Liberites he was nought but a legend whispered of in darkened rooms. "Worse than that?" Erasmus nodded towards the Typo, which was preparing to charge once more. His hand crept towards the Honor Hold Special tucked away on his belt. "Much." Aquilanus ducked back behind the statue. The creature roared and began to charge. The dark figure leapt forward, it's robe fluttering in the wind, revealing a glimpse of black armour underneath. The figure raced forward as the Typo picked up momentum, and extended one arm behind him. His hand contained a polished, roughly spherical object, which he brought forward with sudden, terrifying force. The object flew from the hooded figure's grasp barely ten feet away from the Typo, hurtled through the air with a ponderous unstoppability and crashed into the creature's neck, breaking it audibly with a terrible snapping noise. "...An Ork skull?" Erasmus muttered. The figure strode forwards and picked up it's bowling ball from beside the dying typo, which was disintegrating from within as the Spellcheck rounds did their work. Then it straightened up, and spoke without turning. "It's dead. You can come out now." Aquilanus and the others exchanged glances, then stood up and marched forward. "So... who is that, then?" Erasmus asked, reloading his bolter. "Didn't you recognize him?" Aquilanus replied as the figure turned. "Good to see you again, Nightrawen." -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= He had to be in here somewhere! :D Sorry this took so long to write up, had a busy day. :sweat: There's a post from like November or December 2011 where I mentioned the Liber's kitchen in passing. So I might have edited that to read Culinarium. Nothing weird about that, right? :lol: EDIT: Making use of Heru's suggestion. Edited January 4, 2013 by Ace Debonair Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/214866-this-is-the-liber-astartes-part-ii/page/30/#findComment-3277282 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aqui Posted January 2, 2013 Share Posted January 2, 2013 it had been years since he could think his way through a sentence without interrupting himself. Never a truer word spoken in jest :sweat: For reference (should the need arise), my own choice of weapons and armour - Mark VI plate with a Bolter and Chainsword (not an inspired choice, but if it ain't broke... :D ) That said, I enjoyed it :lol: I nearly ruined my new laptop at the last bit. Speaking of bowling balls, I wonder where a certain Batman Lexicanum is? Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/214866-this-is-the-liber-astartes-part-ii/page/30/#findComment-3277290 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Messor Posted January 2, 2013 Share Posted January 2, 2013 Another fantastic entry, Ace, although one too many Spellchecker rounds might have missed the target: The object flew from the hooded figure's grasp barely ten feet away from the Typo, hurtled through the air with a pnderous unstoppability and crashed into the creature's neck, breaking it audibly with a terrible snapping noise. Good to see Nightrawen decimating heresy as only he can do. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/214866-this-is-the-liber-astartes-part-ii/page/30/#findComment-3277322 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dosjetka Posted January 2, 2013 Share Posted January 2, 2013 (edited) Nice catch, Messor ;) Another terrific story part from you, Ace! Keep it coming and don't worry about the short delays ^_^ Cheers, Ludovic Edited January 2, 2013 by Battle-Brother Ludovic Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/214866-this-is-the-liber-astartes-part-ii/page/30/#findComment-3277330 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heru Posted January 2, 2013 Share Posted January 2, 2013 (edited) Since when did Nightrawen get a hold of the codes to Octy's bowling ball arsenal vault? Edited January 2, 2013 by Heru Talon Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/214866-this-is-the-liber-astartes-part-ii/page/30/#findComment-3277348 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brother Cambrius Posted January 3, 2013 Share Posted January 3, 2013 Since when did Nightrawen get a hold of the codes to Octy's bowling ball arsenal vault? That is indeed a good question, perhaps Octy sees much potential in Nightrawen's ability and has gifted it to him for all the hard work he's done for the Liber? A great read Ace, and DAT's Melta is indeed called Hera. ^_^ Cambrius Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/214866-this-is-the-liber-astartes-part-ii/page/30/#findComment-3277369 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dark Apostle Thirst Posted January 3, 2013 Share Posted January 3, 2013 Since when did Nightrawen get a hold of the codes to Octy's bowling ball arsenal vault? That is indeed a good question, perhaps Octy sees much potential in Nightrawen's ability and has gifted it to him for all the hard work he's done for the Liber? A great read Ace, and DAT's Melta is indeed called Hera. :) Cambrius NightRawen has his methods. I wouldn't doubt them, only fear them :P And yes, my precious Hera is my meltagun :) Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/214866-this-is-the-liber-astartes-part-ii/page/30/#findComment-3277393 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brother Argent Posted January 3, 2013 Share Posted January 3, 2013 Curious on how I would give a plan for the fort when I am still lost somewhere in the Deepest Darkest Depths of Liber. Oh well for a self immolating split personality marine lost in the DDDoL I suppose anything is possible... Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/214866-this-is-the-liber-astartes-part-ii/page/30/#findComment-3277397 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Demus Ragnok Posted January 3, 2013 Share Posted January 3, 2013 (edited) Oh sweet emperors slippers. I get to carry the crate of explosives, in the squad with guy with the "custom" plasma pistol. And we run smack into the man the myth the legend none other than Nightrawen. This going to be interesting! Edit: Typo Edited January 3, 2013 by Demus Ragnok Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/214866-this-is-the-liber-astartes-part-ii/page/30/#findComment-3277410 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Madwolf Shadowmane Posted January 3, 2013 Share Posted January 3, 2013 Great read Ace (and not just because I made my first appearance in the chronicle of the Liber). My plan for the "Fort" was rejected because it was made of uncut stone and looked suspiciously like a volcano. On a different note I have two new goals for the new year. Write a Liber story and finish my B&C mini persona. Madwolf Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/214866-this-is-the-liber-astartes-part-ii/page/30/#findComment-3277447 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ace Debonair Posted January 3, 2013 Share Posted January 3, 2013 it had been years since he could think his way through a sentence without interrupting himself. Never a truer word spoken in jest B) For reference (should the need arise), my own choice of weapons and armour - Mark VI plate with a Bolter and Chainsword (not an inspired choice, but if it ain't broke... ) That said, I enjoyed it I nearly ruined my new laptop at the last bit. Speaking of bowling balls, I wonder where a certain Batman Lexicanum is? I was gonna go into more detail with various of your personalities arguing inside your head, but then couldn't find any details on any of them. :P I guess with the whole Liber at stake you might as well get your act together! :P As for Octavulg, I don't think I could write in the appropriate level of dry snark required to make the character true to life, so I'm holding off on adding him, at least for now. Another fantastic entry, Ace, although one too many Spellchecker rounds might have missed the target: Noted and taken care of. I'm happy enough only one seemed to slip through, must've been at least forty in the first draft! Another terrific story part from you, Ace! Keep it coming and don't worry about the short delays Cheers. I'm still trying to work out what exactly should happen next! :lol: Since when did Nightrawen get a hold of the codes to Octy's bowling ball arsenal vault? You really don't think he's got a bowling ball of his own? :huh: A great read Ace, and DAT's Melta is indeed called Hera. Cheers! Name duly noted and updated. I had to ask just to make sure I didn't give DAT someone else's melta! NightRawen has his methods. I wouldn't doubt them, only fear them And yes, my precious Hera is my meltagun Name added and noted for the next part of the story. I'm sure she'll get to melt something before this tale is spun! Curious on how I would give a plan for the fort when I am still lost somewhere in the Deepest Darkest Depths of Liber. Oh well for a self immolating split personality marine lost in the DDDoL I suppose anything is possible... I gave a blueprint from a hospital bed while still covered in plaster casts. At least you've still got the use of all your fingers! Oh sweet emperors slippers. I get to carry the crate of explosives, in the squad with guy with the "custom" plasma pistol. And we run smack into the man the myth the legend none other than Nightrawen. This going to be interesting! I've got plans for that plasma weapon, too. Not to worry you or anything... Great read Ace (and not just because I made my first appearance in the chronicle of the Liber). My plan for the "Fort" was rejected because it was made of uncut stone and looked suspiciously like a volcano. On a different note I have two new goals for the new year. Write a Liber story and finish my B&C mini persona. Madwolf And the above had me making the raucous sounds of mirth at 7:50 am, waking everyone else up. Ooops. :P Cheers chaps, I'll try and get the next part up later today. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/214866-this-is-the-liber-astartes-part-ii/page/30/#findComment-3277589 Share on other sites More sharing options...
fivepointedstar Posted January 3, 2013 Share Posted January 3, 2013 Nice story Ace! Now when again do I get to burn something? :) Oh and don't forget somewhere in the liber I left a Holy Hand Grenade of Bic somewhere. Its divine whiteout capabilities are uncanny in taking out the daily error's of our sloppy penmanship. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/214866-this-is-the-liber-astartes-part-ii/page/30/#findComment-3278188 Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChaptermasterDemon7 Posted January 3, 2013 Share Posted January 3, 2013 (edited) Very good read Ace. I enjoyed it and cant wait for the next installment. @DK2: the new toy I speak of is a shiny new power weapon. Edited January 4, 2013 by ChaptermasterDemon7 Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/214866-this-is-the-liber-astartes-part-ii/page/30/#findComment-3278196 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heru Posted January 3, 2013 Share Posted January 3, 2013 Since when did Nightrawen get a hold of the codes to Octy's bowling ball arsenal vault? You really don't think he's got a bowling ball of his own? :) Octy trademarked the whole bowling ball thing, all bowling balls in the Liber were confiscated and destroyed. Which is why we now play ten-pin bowling with polished ork skulls. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/214866-this-is-the-liber-astartes-part-ii/page/30/#findComment-3278226 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ace Debonair Posted January 4, 2013 Share Posted January 4, 2013 (edited) Cheers chaps, I'll try and get the next part up later today. It's still the same day in Liber time! :) Octy trademarked the whole bowling ball thing, all bowling balls in the Liber were confiscated and destroyed. Which is why we now play ten-pin bowling with polished ork skulls. I was going to argue, but that actually is both kinda funny and awesome. I'll go revist Nightrawen's part in the last story in a minute. -=-=-=-= Part 4: All Good Things =-=-=-=- ChaptermasterDemon7 inched the door open carefully, scanning the room beyond with the keen swiftness only a veteran of a hundred battles could bring to bear. "It's clear." He voxed to the rest of the squad. Dark Apostle Thirst rolled his eyes. "Of course it is. It's only the antechamber to the stairway leading down to the Culinarium, for crying out loud. You're all acting like it's a realm of unspeakable horrors." "You have been in the Culinarium, haven't you, Moderati?" Ludovic asked, cautiously. "Of course." Thirst repiled, curtly. "And... it didn't seem like a realm of unspeakable horror to you?" Ludovic pressed on. "There are similarities," Cambrius said, nervously. "One of them is shaped by the very beings that dwell there, who tirelessly compete with each other for the souls of the damned and the free, and subject even their most loyal followers to the unfathomable depravities of their every whim, and the other is, you know, the Eye of Terror." Dark Gods give me strength, Thirst thought to himself, and then immediately revoked his request. If they gave him power now, there was every chance he'd just use it to throw the rest of the squad down the stairs. "Look," He said, pointing down the stairs. "We're going through the damned Culinarium. I don't care if it's been infested by Typos, overrun by Tyranids, or set fire to by a thousand-strong army of Grey Knights. We're going in." Thirst marched down the steps with purpose, the rest of the squad sneaking after him. "Typos I can manage," CMD7 muttered. "But the Culinarium gives me the creeps." "Tyranids or Grey Knights, too." DK2K replied, shifting his grip on the crate of explosives he carried. "Much easier than the Culinarium staff." "By the Throne," Ludovic said, with revulsion, "We need to do something about them. I still remember my first visit there. I just wanted a sandwich. Dozens of them swarmed me, all trying to feed me these weird... things, all screaming and yelling..." The squad fell silent. There wasn't an astartes in the Liber who wasn't freaked out by the mad, semi-feral tribes of serfs who acted as the Liber's chefs. They'd often take the same care and attention to detail in creating food as a Techpriest would over assembling a Predator Tank. Unfortunately, they'd also take about the same amount of time. And the ingredients - the serfs seemed to combine and misunderstand ingredients and recipes in the most creative and terrifying ways. There were some pizzas and soups that might have evolved into sentient lifeforms upon their completion had not other serfs destroyed them in one of their endless skirmishes to try and dominate the Culinarium. There was a good reason Liberites tended to order their food from elsewhere in the Legio's halls, in other words. Beyond the grey, reinforced plasteel door lay the battleground that was the Culinarium, it's armies poised and ready to spring into action at the first sign of the door opening. For once, there was silence beyond the door. Thirst swung the door open. The Culinarium looked deserted, and the lights were off, but that was somehow worse than the usual clamouring and yelling. "That's odd," Thirst remarked as the squad, with the practiced ease of Adeptus Astartes, ducked behind an upturned table for concealment. "Usually there's more people around." "Maybe they all died?" Said DK2K, hopefully. The squad, almost simultaneously, made the sign of the aquila, with the exception of Thirst, who made a strange, arcane sign of praise to the Dark Gods. "Our luck isn't that good," Cambrius replied, ruefully. He sighted down his bolter at the far end of the hall. "Movement, at the end of the hall," Cambrius whispered. "CMD7, Ludo, try and get behind that trolley over there. We'll catch whatever it is in a crossfire." Ludovic moved quickly, rolling from behind the cover and coming up with his bolter raised for the kill. He took three quick steps towards the cover, then gave an involuntary yell and jumped backwards. The rest of the squad broke cover and charged to see what Ludovic had seen. A pile of strange, ichor-covered planks lay on the floor behind the trolley. They had unusual metal prongs sticking from them at right angles. "Typos?" CMD7 looked puzzled. "No... this is some of the Culinarium staff. They've been turned from serfs to shelfs." Thirst looked pensive. "Isn't it shelves, Moderati?" Cambrius asked, nervously. "Usually, but this is the work of a Typo." Thirst sighed. "Keep moving, but expect trouble. It seems every time we find something like this, we find-" There was a great roar, and the far door of the Culinarium flew open. The squad scattered, taking cover behind tables and trolleys. A great horde of Typo-infested things advanced through the door. Several of them were visibly human, or at least had been. Perhaps more terrifying where the ones that weren't - strange, deformed creatures that looked like odd blends of inanimate objects brought to life by the power of bad grammar and spelling. Thirst took aim at the foremost creature and fired Hera at it. A jet of pure white light enveloped the creature, and several behind it, burning holes instantly through them. It was enough to bring some of them down, but a few staggered back upright. The rest of the squad cut loose with their spellchecker rounds, but the typos were firing back - armed with some kind of strange, mutated mockery of bolters. Thirst ducked as a volley went overhead, and changed the channel of his vox. He started an incantation to the Dark Gods. The rest of the squad kept firing, keeping the typos from swarming forward and overwhelming them. Thirst nudged DK2K, and still chanting, handed him Hera. DK2K took the Melta reverently. As the enemy advanced, DK2K popped up out of cover and blasted three of the enemy with one well-placed shot, bringing them down. Cambrius and Ludo had split off from the main group, each taking a flank and working slowly outwards to keep the squad from being easily surrounded. CMD7 and DK2K kept Thirst covered as he concluded his pact with the Dark Gods. Suddenly the Dark Apostle stood up, raising both hands to the sky, then pointing them forward at the hated typos and letting loose a scream of pure, unmitigated hate. There was a strange pressure in the air, and a glowing purple crack in reality itself, which forced itself open long enough to drop a strangely shaped figure onto the Culinarium floor, before snapping shut with a strangely organic sound. "Oh, Emperor, no." Ludovic said, shaking his head as though trying to dislodge the vision of what he had seen. "There's got to be another way through this...?" "We're for it now," Cambrius agreed, taking cover. "What is that?" DK2K asked, as Thirst reached out and took Hera back from him, wiping soot from the barrel's edge fussily. "Oh, just a gift from the Heresy Department." Thirst grinned under his helmet. "Even the Dark Gods hate having their names spelt wrong, after all." The figure stood upright. It had pale, pinkish skin, a thin, pointed face surmounted with several short horns, and a pair of thick spectacles which it peered over at the typos, utter contempt stamped on it's face. The apparition was clad in a formal and surprisingly well-tailored grey suit, although the ends of the pants were torn to make room for it's grossly overlarge hooves. It carried two large, twisted swords, a whip that seemed to be made of scales, and a large metallic briefcase. "Yes, but what is it?" DK2K repeated. Thirst grinned at him. "A Literary Daemon of Slaanesh. A Keeper of Syntax." A Typo fired one of it's strange weapons at the Keeper of Syntax. The creature fixed it with a look of pure venom, then leapt into the fray with startling urgency, hacking and slashing, immune to anything the Typos could muster. Reinforcements seemed to flood out from the far corridor endlessly however, and the conflict appeared to be a stalemate. "There's a side door here, we can get out and around the conflict." Thirst motioned to a low doorway. CMD7 burst through the doorway first, taking aim and picking off a rogue typo which seemed to have had the same idea in one swift motion. The rest of the squad fallowing quickly, moving quickly before the rest of the typos got wind of what was happening. The squad arrived at the Fire Gate, one of the most secure areas of the Liber. It was, in essence, a series of ramps that scaled up the side of an enormous wall. Each ramp however, was fortified to a remarkable dregree, with various watch-posts and automated weapons. "The turrets are active." Cambrius noted. "Liberites have been here, and probably fairly recently." The squad hurried up the ramps, and found themselves in a small, shadowy room, surrounded by guns. There was a tense moment, then a voice sounded out from the darkness. "Its alright lads, it's Liberites." Grey Hunter Ydalir stepped out of the shadows, his bolter over his shoulder. "You must be the detachment Ferrata warned us about. You've got the explosives?" "How did Ferrata contact you?" Thirst replied, mystified. "We've been struggling to get vox contact for weeks between halls Seven and Nine." "He was here not an hour ago." Ydalir grinned. The other guns moved forward out of the shadows, revealing a cadre of veteran Liberites. "He's got a few explosives of his own he wants to plant, above Hall Eight. KHK, Heru and a few others went with him. Time's running out, he said, so we'd better get a move on." -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= The wall crumbled like polystyrene. Apothete stomped through the wreckage, grumbling. "Who in their right mind would build a wall there? I remember when this was all one room, and there was..." "By Russ's Tankard." Warhorse chuckled to the other Wolves. "When he said he knew a short-cut, I had no idea he meant like this." "Yeah," Arez said, looking behind him. "That's the fifteenth wall so far. Just how far off course were we?" "Dunno," Forte added. "Looks like quite a long way. Anyone got any more ale left?" "Nope," Skadi said, morosely. "You pinched my last drink before when I was pushing that bulkhead off of Jonas, anyway, so you owe me one. So does Jonas, actually." There was a boom as Apothete punched his way through a metal barrier. "Here," he intoned. "Follow this corridor down and take the second left. Right in the middle of that hallway is where we need the bombs." "You're not coming with us?" Warhorse asked. Apothete turned away. "I'm not built for speed. I'll be waiting back here, out of the blast range." Jonas and Postal carried the crate forward down the hall to the second left, and were faced with an almost mile-long stretch of corridor. "Oh, you've got to be kidding me." Postal sighed. "It's ok, I got a plan." Arez said, looking at a door behind them. "This can't be good," Skadi sighed. "Give me two minutes." Arez dived into the room. There was the sounds of something heavy falling over, a cacophony of metal crashing into the floor. After five minutes, Forte got bored and followed Arez into the room. After ten minutes, Nrth followed both of them. Twenty minutes after Arez first went into the room, the trio emerged, carrying a missile launcher and a length of rope. "Got it!" Arez said, with a grin. "Definitely not good." Skadi sighed again. "Here's the plan. We'll tie this rope to one end of the missile, fire it down the corridor, and it should drag the crate about halfway before it runs out of fuel." Arez grinned. "It's a missile. Won't it explode at the end of the corridor?" Jonas asked. "Won't it explode when it hits the wall, you mean." Warhorse rolled his eyes. "He's not sober enough to shoot, and even if he was I don't trust Arez with a bolt pistol, forget a missile launcher." "Ah, that's where the genius part is. We've taken the tip out and emptied the explosive bits out. I think." Arez beamed. "That was my idea," Nrth put in, "Before you go giving Greenhorn credit." Warhorse scratched his chin thoughtfully. "Alright. But how's that missile meant to drag that crate along? It's not going to be strong enough." Arez and Forte exchanged looks. This would be the tricky part. "Well...We're gonna need your emergency supply of Wolfwhiz." Forte said, sadly. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Aquilanus and his squad reached the top of the Access Tower, and made it down the length of hallway before them. The room at the far end was very small - only just large enough to fit the squad inside comfortably. Leaving Erasmus and Ecritter outside on watch, Aquilanus entered the room. "Demus, set the crate here. Let's crack it open and get the detonator." Demus placed the crate on a low chair in the corner of the room. The far wall had the familiar stain of Typo ichor on the wall, and Nightrawen watched it carefully, drumming a bored little rhythm on his Orkskull. Demus used his sword to lever the lid off of the crate. "Uh oh." "What's up?" Brother Erasmus popped his head into the room. "There's no detonator. It's just explosives." "Oh, =][=EXPLETIVE DELETED BY THE INQUISITION =][=, now what do we do?" Aquilanus sighed heavily. "...I think I can help with that." Erasmus drew his plasma pistol. "We'll need to know when it needs detonating, though." "I don't know. I guess Ferrata will send word somehow." Aquilanus shrugged. "What's your plan, anyway?" "...You ever heard of the Honor Hold Special?" -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Cambrius swept into the room, Captain Juan Juarez and Ydalir behind him. "Room's clear," Cambrius voxed. "Alright, this is the place. DK2K, if you'd do the honours?" GHY motioned to one corner of the dank, grimy room they'd found. Typo ichor lined the walls, and dripped onto the floor. Soon they'd be leaking through wholesale. Levering the lid off, DK2K presented the detonator within the crate to Dark Apostle Thirst, who took it and flourished it. There was a small note attached. "Right. We're going to need to stand a long way back." "We can pull back to the Fire Gate." Captain Juan nodded. "Might need to be further back than that." Thirst said, carefully. "Ferrata, you mad fool..." -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Sigismund Himself had returned from cleansing the small Typo Nest in Hall Six. He'd volunteered for the mission, and taken Messor and Olisredan with him at Ferrata's request. The trio made for the Moderati's office to report in, and find out the state of the war. Sigismund entered the twenty-numeral code to enter the office without triggering the security alerts, and strode boldly in, Messor and Olis in tow. "Ferrata, we're back. What's happened since-" Ferrata's space at his desk was empty. In it's place was a small, ornate chest with a note pinned to it. Sigismund picked the note up and read it, his expression completely unreadable. "Oh." -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= "This is the place." KingHongKong nodded. "It took Heru a week to cut a path through here while we were down by Hall Ten." The wind whipped around him as he turned to Ferrata. This was the only point of the Liber left above Hall Eight. It had been torn open by the eruption of Typos, a once-grand structure reduced to slime and ruin. The two Astartes were perched on a narrow walkway that extended almost halfway over the shattered once-golden dome of the Hall's roof "Excellent." Ferrata said, switching his jump pack on. He shifted his grip on the crate of explosives he carried. Brother Argos' note had been very clear. The Typo infestation was threatening to overwhelm the Liber, and he was going to take direct action before it spread any further - a revamp of the Legio that would erase the Liber, to be started anew. The Liber, and everyone in it, literally had twenty-four hours to live. "Tell everyone thanks for their help," Ferrata added to KHK as he readied himself to make the leap. "And make sure you stand well back." Ferrata ran forward towards the edge of the ledge. From here it was possible to see right into Hall Eight, to see the horrible pool of Typo ichor that the creatures originated from. It was going to be tricky, Ferrata knew. The typos had distorted and denied any vox-channel communications, so getting the explosives to go off at the right time was going to rely mostly on luck. The jump pack activated, and Ferrata soared on wings of death over the Typo's lair. All at once, a long, then, black claw reached up, knocking Ferrata from his flight path, causing him to crash into the edge of the shattered roof of Hall Eight. The Moderati plunged down towards the lake of Typo essence below. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Sigismund Himself lowered the note. "Ferrata's resignation. I never thought I'd see the day." "W-what happens now, Moderati?" Asked Messor, shaken by the numb look on Sigismund's face. "The mission you went with me on. Ferrata staged it as a test. A test you both passed. Open the chest, Messor." Sigismund said, striding to his own desk. Messor opened the chest with care. Inside lay a melta, ornately decorated with gold and silver plating. "This.. this is Ferrata's Melta, isn't it?" "...Not any more, Moderati Messor." Sigismund said, a sad smile creeping across his face. "Moderati Olisredan, I'm sorry we don't have a melta for you yet. I'll get in touch with the Techpriests of Mars soon and see if we can't order one in for you." "Actually..." Olisredan said, "I did give Ace an old Volkite weapon to repair a while ago... I could always use that." "If he's put an equivalent to the Incineratus setting on it, your first task will be to use it on him." Sigismund said, running a hand down his face wearily. "By all means, use your Volkite weapon, and welcome to your new home." -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= There wasn't much of the first floor left in Hall Eight, but Ferrata hit the remaining tiles was pretty hard. He pulled himself upright in time to see, rising from the essence, the biggest Typo yet. It must have been almost the size of a Warhound Titan. The great beast leaned down, it's eyes contracting and dilating as they fixed on him. Ferrata, out of instinct, reached for his Melta before remembering. "Hmph." "Moderati? Is that you?" Aquilanus voxed. "Is it time to set the explosives off?" The towering creature seemed to be draining away the essence on the floor, and it was still growing. It also seemed that as the essence diminished, the vox communications had come back. "It's time." Ferrata said, softly. He grabbed the crate of explosives, plunged his fist into it, and activated his jump pack, leaping towards the Typo Titan in front of him. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= The missile launcher weaved back and forth. "-a really, really, really bad idea. We should have just walked," Skadi grumbled. "Yeah, we should." Postal sighed. "Alright, fire!" Warhorse yelled. Arez pulled the trigger, causing the missile to whirl awkwardly down the corridor. After a moment, however, the smell of burning Wolfwhiz assailed the nostrils of the Space Wolves, and the missile began picking up speed, dragging the crate off the floor with it. "It's not gonna work," Nrth muttered. "Surely not." The rope snapped. The missile crashed into the far wall with a sickening crunch, and the crate started to fall from the air. "Run?" Forte suggested. The Wolves, for once, didn't argue. They ran down the corridor as though chasing a Stormraven full of ale, and behind them heard the crate crash into the floor, felt the ground shake, and were knocked clean off their feet by the force of the explosion. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= "You heard him, Erasmus, it's time!" Aquilanus yelled. Erasmus muttered to himself as he activated the Honor Hold Special. "Time we weren't here, guys! Let's move!" The squad dashed back to the stairway, and were most of the way down the Access Tower when the blast came. It tore the top floor off the tower, rubble scattering into Castigator Alley. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Thirst sat for a moment after hearing Ferrata's order. "Goodbye for now, old friend." He said, softly, as he activated the detonator. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Ferrata accelerated towards the Typo Titan's face, it's maw parting as it let loose an ear-splitting shriek of rage and hatred. "I might have retired from being a mod, but the old skills never leave you," Ferrata snarled as he drew level with the creature and hurled the crateful of explosives at it's open mouth. In one smooth, practiced movement, he drew a bolt pistol and fired, the shot striking the crate. As the explosions all around Hall Eight shook the entire Liber, as the crate began to fly apart under the force of the explosives within, a bright white light began to envelop everything. The Legio was undergoing it's ritual cleansing, as per Brother Argos' plans. Whatever happened next was now going to happen regardless. "You're done here Typo," Ferrata snarled at the creature, as the explosions overwhelmed them both. "...Consider yourself banned." -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= So there's the next two parts at once to make up for missing yesterday. Oh Emperor, I just typed all that in one sitting in the browser window. My fingers are bleeding! :huh: What happens next? Tune in after the Software Update tomorrow! :lol: (See, this is why I was really pushing myself for deadlines.) Also, it ties in neatly Ferrata stepping down in EPIC FASHION with the crowning of two new mods. Messor, you'd better look after that Melta gun. ;) EDIT: Damnable typos. Er, not the creature ones, the actual spelling errors. Edited January 4, 2013 by Ace Debonair Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/214866-this-is-the-liber-astartes-part-ii/page/30/#findComment-3278952 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aqui Posted January 4, 2013 Share Posted January 4, 2013 "You're done here Typo," Ferrata snarled at the creature, as the explosions overwhelmed them both. "...Consider yourself banned." Three words all Frater fear :huh: Worth the wait :) Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/214866-this-is-the-liber-astartes-part-ii/page/30/#findComment-3278982 Share on other sites More sharing options...
fivepointedstar Posted January 4, 2013 Share Posted January 4, 2013 (edited) And the ingredients - the serfs seemed to combine and misunderstand ingredients and recipies in the most creative and terrifying ways. Thirst swung the door open. The Culinarium looked deserted, and the lights were off, but that was somehow worse than the usual clamouring and yelling. Ludovic moved quickly, rolling from behind the cover and coming up with his bolter raised for the kill. He took three quick steps towards teh cover, then gave an involuntary yell and jumped backwards. Several of them vere visibly human, or at least had been. As the enemy advanced, DK2K popped up out of cover and blasted three of teh enemy with one well-laced shot, bringing them down. The figure stood upright. It had pale, pinkish skin, a thin, pointed face surmouted with several short horns, and a pair of thick spectacles which it peered over at the typos, utter contempt stamped on it's face. The apparition was clad in a formal and surprisingly well-tailored grey suit, although the ends of the pants were torn to make room for it's grossly overlarge hooves. It carried two large, twisted swords, a whip that seemed to be mde of scales, and a large metallic briefcase. The squad arrived at the Fire Gate, one of the most secure areas of the Liber. It was, in essence, a series of ramps that scaled up the side of an enormous wall. Each ramp however, was fortified to a remarkable dregree, with various watchposts and automated weapons. Jonas and Postal carried the crate forward down the hall to the second left, and were faced with an almost mile-long strecth of corridor. Demus placed the crate on a low chair in the corner of the room. The far wall had the familiar stain of Typo ichor on the wall, and Nightrawen watched it carefully, drumming a bored little rhythym on his Orkskull. The trio made for the Moderati's office to report in, and find out the state of the war. Sigismund entered the twenty-numeral code to enter the office without triggerign the security alerts, and strode boldly in, Messor and Olis in tow. They ran down the corridor as though chasing a Stormraven full of ale, and behnd them heard the crate crash into the floor, felt the ground shake, and were knocked clean off their feet by the force of the explosion. "Goodbye for now, old friend." He said, solftly, as he activated the detonator. I must have been a good scout sniper in my youth to have spotted these. But overall this one was a great read. Thanks Ace you always write exciting stories. Edited January 4, 2013 by DeathKnight2000 Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/214866-this-is-the-liber-astartes-part-ii/page/30/#findComment-3279052 Share on other sites More sharing options...
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